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archivesdiveronarpg · 7 years

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Congratulations, MADZ! You’ve been accepted for the role of MACBETH (with a faceclaim change of Tom Ellis). Madz, you have no idea how happy I am to entrust Macbeth into your hands once more. You give him this darkness that drips off of him so subtly it makes me sigh a bit because I’m not entirely sure whether I want to feel bad for him or cheer him on in his duplicitous endeavors. The way that you capture his voice, his tragic spiral, and his all-too-devilish charm is something that I’ve always loved and now I have the pleasure of watching it in action again. Welcome back into the family, my dear! Please read over the checklist and send in your blog within 24 hours.

WELCOME TO THE MOB.

Out of Character

Alias | Madz

Age | 20 years young, my dudes.

Preferred Pronouns | She/Her

Activity Level | I should be around a decent amount, probably about a ⅚ because… well, school.

Timezone | EST

In Character

Character | Macbeth; Mikael Falco (fc change to Tom Ellis perhaps ;-) )

What drew you to this character? | I wanna play a bad guy. Honestly it’s as simple as that for me at this point, I want to play a bad guy. Mikael Falco is what people consider a bad guy, but that doesn’t mean he’s necessarily a great bad guy. Sure he walks the walk and most certainly talks the talk, but deep down, there’s something in him that restrains him from really unleashing the full extent of power that we want to see in a bad guy. That something is obedience. The trait that was ingrained in him as a child in boarding school, something he now cannot stand. It will be his downfall, the very thing that will inevitably bring him to his knees, and he knows it. Mikael’s been trying to overcome this deadly habit, but with such a strong desire for power and his willingness to prove himself to the Capulets (though not without his own power hungry agenda), his progression towards independence is slow and rather unsteady. Though his obedience at one time had been blind, he’s now beginning to use it against anyone who stands in his way. A true con man, Mikael’s ability to lie in the face of those superior to him has gotten him far. But it’s not far enough for the man who was meant for greatness. He wants the crown to rest upon his head and his alone, and he’s not afraid to do anything it takes to get it. His bad guy image isn’t helped by the fact that he’s completely whipped by his devil of a wife. He’d always dreamed of dancing with the Devil, but he hadn’t pictured the Devil stepping on his toes and getting in his way. But she has this sick, twisted power over him, one that chokes him tighter than his extremely well-tailored Armani suits, one that he initially loved but has quickly turned to despise.

What is a future plot idea you have in mind for the character?

Of course I cannot wait to plot out Lucrecia and Mikael’s relationship. I think for what it is, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are one of the best duos in literature. Their relationship is complex and it’s dark and it’s dirty and all the things I love to see from killer couples. I hope that Mikael could break the chains from which he’s weighed down.

So I think a really fun plot would just be his descent into madness. I think this was probably my favorite aspect of Macbeth’s story when I originally read it, and I think it’s a central part to his character that’s going to be fun to expand on. He’s got inner demons that he battles day in and day out, and I think writing a character who is so determined to get power but is also held back his struggle with himself is going to be interesting.

And lastly I think his struggle with his position in the mob would probably be one of the main plots I’d develop while writing him, because the Devil isn’t placated unless he’s calling the shots himself and doesn’t have to answer to the so-called “Gods.” Mikael has been trying so diligently to prove himself to the Capulets, doing anything and everything they ask of him, killing anyone who could possibly get in their way in attempts to show himself worthy of a better position. And I feel like Mikael will definitely be plotting different ways to achieve this higher status, through whatever means he deems necessary. ESPECIALLY WITH THE SPADES NOW IM SURE HE’S GONNA TALK WITH THEM AND TRY TO MOVE HIS WAY UP THRU THEM IDK BUT IM EXCITED

In Depth

The following THREE questions must be answered in-character, and in para form (quotations, actions written out if applicable, etc). There is no minimum or maximum limit for your response - simply answer as you would were you playing the character.

What is your favorite place in Verona?

Mikael could all but hold back his laughter as he sat against the cool metal chair, legs spread distinctly as to exude an air of power. “You call this an interrogation?” He remarked snidely, rubbing his thumb and index finger along his sharp jawline. In all the years he’d been working for the Capulets, Mikael Falco had his fair share of visits to this all too familiar interrogation room. The walls were grey, water dripped from a corner where a dark black circle seemed to expand twice its size each time he’d returned, and there was only a metal table barricading him from the other enemy – the law. He’d spent enough time running from the Montagues that it only aggravated him more when they managed to catch onto his business affairs. And with the wound still healing from the murder of Alvise, many were pointing fingers at Mikael, who hadn’t decided if he was going to use this as an opportunity or shut the rumor mill down. “Everyone knows how I adore The Tempest,” He replied finally, after spending some time analyzing the unfamiliar face scribbling notes before him. “I hear they’ve even taken to engraving my initials into the table I frequent, which of course I said was unnecessary but completely welcome.” He ended this statement with a charming smile, one he’d been perfecting for years, one that satiated any uneasy feelings anyone might of had when interacting with him.

What does your typical day look like?

“First, I’d wake up, and reach over to my wife who I haven’t fucked in ages, hoping to spark any kind of flame that lingered from our younger years, only to be shot down with a shrug of her shoulder when I managed to touch her skin. Then, defeated, I’d get up and get ready, making sure my suit was in perfect condition and everything about my appearance was pristine. The Capulets expect an appearance of superiority, because we are superior. Then, I’d mumble some sort of goodbye to Lucrecia who’d ignore me, leaving my confidence at a low, but that’s besides the point. I’d make my way over to the cathedral, able to smell the irony of our headquarters practically miles. There are no Gods in Verona, not yet at least.” Not until I take over. “Assignments for the day are posted routinely at 8 a.m., and I’m usually less than satisfied by my orders to patrol the shipping docks we use to smuggle our weaponry, but I’d head there with whomever else I’ve been assigned to work with. We’d make all the right small talk, and I’d be lucky if I left work any type of happy. On a good day, I’d be assigned something better, something more… exhilarating. It’s the little tastes of pleasure like getting to off another Montague solider that make me rest easy at night, though I know I can do more. It’s just a matter of time until everyone will witness the extent of my power, and then they’ll either give me the power I deserve, or I’ll pry it from their limp fingers. Then I’d make my way over to The Tempest, where I’d drink my troubles away while listening to some young woman with wide eyes and naive dreams talk to me about God knows what, before returning home. Lucrecia might be there, or not. I’ve come to expect her absence. I’d climb into bed in my drunken haze, and drift off into a slumber.”

“It doesn’t look like much,” He replied, almost too easily. He wasn’t stupid enough to give him any sort of information, not even a white lie was safe in the hands of the law. “I do my job, just like you.”

What are your thoughts on the war between the Capulets and the Montagues?

Mikael’s intrigue was spiked by this question, the first that pertained to the very being of who he was, and he sat up almost instinctively. From the outside, the feud between the Capulets and Montagues seemed to be about nothing more than territory and old family rivalries, fickle matters with which Mikael rarely found himself concerned with. Sure, the territory each family claimed for their own indicated a sense of power, but Mikael knew that the real power came from within, and he wasn’t one to get too involved with the affairs of the families from which he didn’t spawn.

��Someone once asked, “War, what is it good for?” and then proceeded to answer “nothing.” Mikael stopped speaking for a moment to laugh quietly before fixing his posture and returning to his calm demeanor. “I pity the fool who believes that sentiment, for war is but a necessary evil for those who desire to conquer. And I… Well I desire nothing less.”

In-Character Para Sample: From the moment he was born, Mikael gravitated towards grandeur in all things he did. The Falco insignia was adorned in gold and blood, though it had not always been this way, as those who had come before him shed blood, sweat, and tears in their efforts to build an empire from the ground up while oppressive forces tried to hold them down.

Tugging tightly on the cuffs of his tailored suit, Mikael carried himself proudly through the streets of Verona, a silk crimson handkerchief peaking out slightly from his front pocket. There was a certain determination in his step as he walked, an image of no particular significance to those who did not know the man. To the untrained eye, he looked just like any other wealthy and power hungry man, but for those who learned to fear the man’s unique tune he whistled as he walked into back alleys, this wasn’t a leisurely walk. Mikael had a destination, a target rather, that he was headed to, one that hadn’t been officially assigned to him.

His lips were pursed tightly and he begun to whistle his tune, shoving his right hand into his pocket, sliding it over the cool metal of his knife. His fingers skimmed over the serrated edges of the blade and made their way to the elegantly carved golden handle. It was his favorite weapon, the one with which he had the most practice with and the one that made a name for himself.

Mikael arrived at a corner and turned it quickly, giving himself but a fleeting moment to glance at the man who was about thirty paces behind him. It wasn’t the first time he’d been followed, and it surely wasn’t going to be the last. Mikael knew that killing him would be clumsy, and that wasn’t his business. But he wanted to send a message, something he was particularly fond of. Sparing people wasn’t something he did often, but he instilled a fear equivalent to the fear of God in those whom he chose to spare, always able to make an impression.

There was a gap between two equally beautiful buildings, and Mikael turned quickly into it while he was certain the man following him hadn’t seen him. He waited against the cool exterior of the building, hand still resting on his knife, the other one flexed open. Hearing shuffled footsteps approaching slowly, Mikael readied himself. The footsteps came closer, and began to slow, and without a moment’s notice, Mikael reached his left arm out from the alley and pulled the man into it by the collar. His grip was tight, and the man grunted as he was thrust harshly into the wall. “I understand you’ve been sent to follow me,” He said in a hauntingly calm demeanor. It took him a moment to notice the man he had in his hand wasn’t much of a man at all, and was more of a boy. Typical Montague behavior. The young boy shook his head in fear, obviously new to the job, and he squirmed underneath Mikael’s grip before he tightened it. “Stop fidgeting, boy.” He spat, looking over his shoulder to make sure that no one was able to see this interaction take place.

“I’m going to give you one try, and I want you to be honest with me, do you understand?” The boy gulped in fear, and nodded his head after a moment of deliberation. “Great. Who sent you?” His question was concise and straight to the point, games were for children and Mikael found himself relatively tired of the games people liked to play. “I’m not going to ask you again,” He threatened, raising his voice and drawing his blade from his pocket. “Now, I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t want to have to use this on you,” He said, raising the blade to the boy’s eye level, which he noticed changed the boy’s attitude. “M-M-Matth–” “Matthias. Of course. Now, I want you to tell Matthias that I’m tired of his games, I’m tired of his tactics, and frankly I’m tired of this feud he has with me. Make it very clear to him that the next time he sends someone after me, this knife,” taking this time to slide the cool blade gently across the boy’s cheek, leaving a small nick at his jawline, “Will do more than leave a scratch.”

Extras: If you have anything else you’d like to include (further headcanons, an inspo tag, a mock blog, etc), feel free to share it here!

#accepted #accepted: macbeth

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villiansarepeopletoo · 6 years

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The Disney College Program: FAQ Before Becoming a Cast Member

After spending weeks staring at the hours, minutes and seconds countdown I had rolling on my phone, my mom and I made the 8 hour car ride from North Carolina to Orlando to start on the biggest journey of my life thus far. All the Disney themed Christmas and Graduation gifts I received just made me burst into tears because I was so ready to be a Cast Member. But I didn’t know true euphoria until my very first day of training, which Walt Disney World refers to as the start of Earning Your Ears. There really aren’t a lot of resources out there that go into detail about what you should expect in the beginning of your program. It can be really nerve racking going to work for such a large company, especially when you know they have such high expectations for their employees. So I really just want to answer some of the biggest questions I had before I left.

What are the apartments like? How do they match you with roommates?

Truthfully, the apartments aren’t perfect. But they provide every basic thing you may need during the time you’re going to be there, except a coffee maker.. The layout is different in each of the four apartment complexes, The Commons, Patterson Court, Chatham Square, and Vista Way (which I have listed according to how expensive they are), but generally they all have a shared living space, bedrooms that all have their own bath and house 2-4 people, along with a full kitchen that does come with pots, pans, and plates. There are pros and cons to literally every housing unit, and even if you put one as your top choice, you still may get your last choice. They do it a lot like colleges do it, when you fill out your housing info you will rank your options from lowest to highest. I won’t go into too much detail on the individual units in this article, but I’ve included a link on the listed names that will take you to the official Disney Programs blog (my opinion is biased anyways because I loved my apartment, they are honestly like being sorted into Hogwarts houses and the loyalty is fierce #PattersonForLife).

As far as roommates go, you CAN choose your roommates! But there is also an option to go random, just like in college! I linked up with all my roommates on the Disney College Program Spring 2018 Facebook page. Almost every class that comes through makes a private Facebook page for people who have applied, and once acceptances go out everyone starts pairing up as roommates. There will be a universal post that will travel around which has you fill out your likes and dislikes and your living habits. Its honestly online dating…and it’s SUPER awkward. But you just have to make the most of it. I was lucky enough to connect with 5 amazing girls all around the same age and we got along super great! None of us were from the same state so it was really awesome to get to know everyone. So once we found each other and agreed to live together, we designated one Leader, in our case we chose my friend Brooke because this was her second program and she was the only one who knew what she was doing… When you receive your acceptance to the program and pay all your fees, Disney gives you an ID number. When Brooke began filling out her housing information, she linked all of us up using our ID numbers and we accepted the invitations confirming our housing requests to be roommates. It’s a pretty easy process once you start filling out your paperwork but if you ever have questions you can always contact housing or recruiting, they work for Disney so they’re naturally super helpful and they’ll get back to you in a few days. ([email protected])

Is there anything specific that I should pack? What should I leave at home?

It really is personal preference, but if you’re a shopaholic like me and want anything and everything Disney, definitely pack light. My entire life changed when I found out about the Cast Discount Store, Cast Connections. They sell everything for an insanely low price after it’s gone out of season. All the ears are $5. I went into my program promising myself I wouldn’t purchase a single pair of Minnie ears, but I had to make room for 11 pairs in my car when I was packing up my apartment.. I was still finding ears under my seats when I moved home… #NoRagrets… I also started a mug collection…you just never know what you’re gonna end up getting into. I would definitely advise against bringing any kind of warm clothing aside from like one blanket and one sweatshirt. I think I wore jeans once during my 6 month program. The kitchen is mostly provided for, pots, pans, cups, plates, and bowls should already be placed in the cabinets when you get there. If they are not, go to the Club House of your complex and let them know and they’ll give you a checklist of everything you’re supposed to have. Be sure and fill out a form with what you don’t have during your first week or they won’t replace it.

I would also talk with your Bedroom roommate a little. You’ll need the essentials such as bedding, bathroom stuff, a bath mat, shower curtain, and hangers for the closet. We split up the shelves in the pantry for food, but I suggest having a bin to put food and produce in. Luckily most of the closet space is great! I didn’t have much problem with storage for clothes. My roommate, Morgan, and I found the plastic drawer sets from Target were really helpful though just for another option if you need something extra. In my apartment, the extra closet space around the living areas were first come first serve so don’t be shy. Claim your spaces and just go with it.

What is Traditions?

Traditions is Disney’s fancy way of saying Training and Expectations. I’ll publish a complete article later on with the expectations of Traditions. A lot of sources will talk about how scary this process can be, but I promise it’s just like any other on-boarding process. You’ll basically just go to Casting and get your finger print and background check done. BE SURE AND BRING YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY CARD, PHOTO ID, AND PASSPORT, just to be safe. I thought I didn’t need it, but I was very wrong and had to go to the social security office in Orlando at 4:00 in the morning. It was a terrible experience. I got to know Snow White pretty well though.

After your legal stuff is done you’ll watch some very wonderful videos about how much magic Disney brings to the lives of guests and everyone sits and cries together…Then they give you a super short tour of FantasyLand in Magic Kingdom. I won’t spoil all the surprises, but it was one of the best days of my life. It’s long and you spend it in a classroom, but its just amazing. It’s the first day you feel apart of the company and close to the magic. It’s also the day you receive you’re Name Tag. PLEASE DO NOT STRESS OVER WHAT TO WEAR. The Disney Look may sound intimidating, but if you feel comfortable wearing in front of your grandma, then you can wear it in front of your trainer. (I’ll publish another article about the Disney Look.)

When can I go into the Parks?

Contrary to popular opinion, your first 3 to 5 days in Orlando YOU CANNOT GO INTO THE PARKS (unless you purchase a ticket or have an annual pass). After you complete Disney classical training (Disney Traditions), you will receive, what Cast Members call, your Blue Card. It’s nothing super fancy, just a small bright blue credit card with your name on it and a tiny picture of Mickey Mouse, but when you get it, it basically represents the Disney version of a Hogwarts Letter. It is your access to ALL the magic: The Parks, Free Parking, your Cast Member Discounts on food and merchandise, and it is the tool you’ll use to clock in for work in order to get paid by the big cheese himself. So don’t lose it.

What kind of Discounts and Perks do College Program Kids get? How much do you get paid?

Disney College Program Kids get paid $10 per hour. Very little exceptions to this. VERY LITTLE. So be sure you have a little bit of help, financially, when you go. We don’t often get the chance to work overtime and when you do, don’t hold your breath that you’ll always get compensated for overtime. Be prepped for $10 per hour at 35 hours a week (unless you’re merchandise or attractions, then you’ll have a ton of hours).

We get 20% off merchandise except during the Holidays (We get 40% off), which begins around Thanksgiving and continues through Valentine’s day. So Spring Kids, BUY EVERYTHING YOU CAN IN YOUR FIRST MONTH. Just so you know. The restaurant discounts vary, but there will be a newsletter in The Hub (Disney’s Employee Info Spot) telling you what locations have the best deals, and it’s updated frequently.

How much free time will I have?

I had two days off every week and it was perfect. They weren’t always back to back which was totally fine with me. You always have the option of picking up shifts (though not always outside of your location). If you know ahead of time that you need specific dates off, officially request it through the Hub, which you’ll become super familiar with after a week or two. If you have questions ask your Leaders (Managers). I was blessed with some pretty amazing superiors and I never felt uncomfortable asking questions or even sharing a concern. But I had friends who didn’t have that luxury. I know a lot of people say that your College Program experience has a lot to do with who your Leaders are.

There’s no ignoring that College Program Participants get the crappy shifts and work a lot. Go in with low expectations for your free time, but you’ll get at least one day off a week and it’s easy to make the most of it when you’re in such close proximity to the parks. I was placed at the Contemporary Resort across from Magic Kingdom and took the monorail to work on many occasions after playing in the park all morning. Or me and my favorite coworker would sprint through our closing chores to make it to 9:00 Fireworks on time and ride Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin until close. Again, the best advice I ever received was to not skip out on something just because you’re tired. You’ll always be tired when you spend every day making sure everyone else is having a “Magical Day in Walt Disney World.”

#disneyworld #DisneyCollegeProgram #faq #firstdayatdisney #firstdayofwork #Castmember #DisneyCastMember #dcp #dcpspring2019

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dorothydelgadillo · 6 years

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The 7 Types of Sales & Marketing Videos You Need to Create Today

These days you can’t swing a cat without hitting a blog post telling you to incorporate video into your sales and marketing strategy.

With HubSpot Video, HubSpot’s latest product announcement integrating Vidyard into Marketing Hub, don’t expect that trend to abate anytime soon.

Video is clearly important, but now what?

How do you convince the powers inside your organization that investing in video is worthwhile? More importantly, what kinds of videos should you be creating and how are they going to impact your bottom line?

I’m so glad you asked.

Here are seven videos that will take your sales and marketing efforts to the next level:

1.80% Videos

Every salesperson answers 5-10 of the same questions on every call.

They have their answers rehearsed and sometimes even scripted. They can recite them in their sleep, and honestly, they’re probably tired of having to answer them all the time.

80% videos are those that answer the most common questions all of your prospects ask (and probably proactively answer a few they haven’t thought of).

If you record one and send it to all of your prospects before your connect calls (and use a video marketing platform like Vidyard to see how much of the video they’ve watched), you’ll now be able to go into your conversation ready to get to the nitty gritty and not waste so much time answering the same old, standard questions.

Here’s an example from IMPACT Client, Sheffield Metals:

2. Employee Bio Videos

One of the biggest reasons why video is such a powerful tool is it allows your prospects to see, hear, and know you before you actually see, hear, and know them.

Let’s face it, meeting new people and entering business relationships can be tricky territory sometimes. With video, however, some of the friction can be alleviated early on. People can see your face, learn to recognize your voice, mannerisms, and energy.

It allows them to build familiarity and trust with your brand and especially your people.

With this in mind, one of the seven types of video you should be creating is employee bio videos. These are exactly what they sound like; short videos where your team speaks directly to the camera and introduces themselves.

Start with your people in customer or client-facing roles. Once you have the videos recorded, put them in your employee’s email signatures or even your website. You’ll be surprised how many views they get.

Here’s an example from IMPACT client, Aquila Commercial:

3. Product/Service Page Videos

There’s no way to communicate the value proposition of a given product or service more efficiently than through video.

You can have the most thoughtfully designed web page with the most beautiful graphics and words, but it won’t compare to a high-quality video in the end.

The average attention span of an adult online is eight seconds. Videos significantly reduce the burden placed on your website visitors to take the time to understand how your product/service will help them and also break through the noise of all the words on the rest of your site.

Here’s an example from another IMPACT client, Burrells Watches:

4. Landing Page Videos

Any page that has a form should have a video.

Think about it; Right before you fill out a form, you have questions, doubts.

You’re wondering, "Should I fill out this form? These people are probably going to contact me, sending a million emails, or maybe even phone calls…all I want is this eBook/template/checklist…”

Videos can help counteract that and build trust. They help the landing page visitor realize it’s in their interest to share their info with your company since they provide a passive engagement medium where visitors can experience your message with very little effort.

They need to be reassured you’re not some evil corporation who’s going to send them annoying emails and call them 14 times a day. Plus studies have shown it can increase conversion rates by up to 80%.

Here’s an example from (yup, you guessed it, another IMPACT client) Mazzella Companies:

5. "Bad Fit” Videos

When it comes to sales and marketing, disqualifying is just as important as qualifying.

Identifying who isn’t a good fit is an important part of any sales process (unless you want your sales team wasting hours of their week talking to people who will never buy anything from your company).

When you’re being up front and honest about who you shouldn’t work with (and explain why), you not only become dramatically more attractive to your good-fit prospects, you also make a strong statement about your brand that you’re transparent and trustworthy.

Here’s an example from yet another IMPACT client, Model Apparel:

6. Social Proof/Testimonial Videos

Everyone knows having social proof on your website is a must, but only if it’s credible.

Having a quote, name, and even photo has become a standard practice. So, how do you stand out?

How are you differentiating from your competitors already parading out their happy customers with quotes and names?

One way to get ahead of the pack is by putting your best customers on video.

Not only will they be totally honored when you tell them they’re one of your most impressive clients and you want to feature them in your marketing, but they'll also be smart enough to realize it’s pretty much free marketing for them and their brand as well.

Not only will having these videos help you close more business, but it’ll strengthen your bond with your most important client relationships at the same time.

Here’s an example from another IMPACT client, La-Z-Boy SouthEast:

Need some tips on how to get these awesome video testimonials from your customers? Zach shares some useful tips here!

7. The “Claims We Make” Video

How many claims do you make that your competitors also make? Things like, “Our people are the best” or “Our customer service is world-class.”

How are you backing up those claims? How are you differentiating yourself against your competition who make the very same ones?

At the end of the day, words aren’t enough. It’s just noise until you show it. One of the most effective ways to show it today is with video.

Make a list of the claims you make, and see how many you can show them.

How can you demonstrate you’re not just making claims in the interest of self-promotion? How can you show you back up your claims with examples?

Anything you can do to demonstrate your value will go a long way towards building trust.

And here’s a final example from an IMPACT client, ServiceThread:

Video is a fundamental piece of any marketing strategy in 2018 and beyond. While you may have already been on board with that hypothesis when you started reading this blog post, we hope these seven examples of marketing and sales videos helped take you from, “I want to invest in more video” to “I’m going to invest in these kinds of videos.”

Still feeling unsure about how to get videos like these created and into your sales and marketing?

Well, we’d be happy to be of help on that front as well!

Whether it be workshops or consulting your team on how to produce videos in-house or having our video team come to you for a day or two to film and edit them for you, we’re happy to help you find what your team needs to get to the next level with video marketing.

from Web Developers World https://www.impactbnd.com/blog/7-types-of-sales-and-marketing-videos-you-need-to-create-today

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eelgibbortech-blog · 7 years

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8 Practical and Proven Ways You Can Get More Views on Your Medium Blog

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Every new blogger has the exact same problem.

No one. Reads. Our stuff.

Once you have a little attention, you have something to build on. People start talking, and the rest is history.

But those first thousand readers are tough.

If you’re smart, you’ll start with who you know; but for most of us, that well runs dry at around 100 folks.

So where do you go from there?

One great option is a website called Medium.

Medium is a massive community with thousands of bloggers and millions of readers.

I’ve attracted hundreds of new readers to my blog by posting on Medium. It’s easy and fun. So in this post, I’ll show you how to do it too.

First things first, I’ll teach you the basics — how to create an account and start posting.

If you already know that stuff, click here to jump to hyperspace (you’ll pop out for the advanced strategies further down this post).

How to Start a Blog on Medium

First, you’ll need a free account.

Posting on Medium is absolutely free. Just go to Medium.com and click “Sign In/Sign Up” at the top right corner.

Then, you’ll need something to post.

One of my favorite things about Medium is the content you post doesn’t have to be original to the site.

By that I mean, you can write something, share it on your blog, and repost it on Medium — killing two birds with one stone.

I personally repost all my blogs on Medium.

Finally, you’ll need something to persuade people to join your email list.

Remember, our goal is to get more people reading your blog. And the best way to do that is getting readers on an email list.

Then, every time you post something new, you can send an email reminding them to check it out.

(If you don’t currently have an email list, we recommend ConvertKit because it’s so simple to use.)

But before you can get people on an email list, you need to give them a compelling reason to sign up. This free giveaway is often called a lead magnet.

It can be a short ebook, a checklist, a video training, an assessment — whatever you think your ideal readers will want to sign up for.

Here’s what I use on Medium:

Once you have these three things, you’re ready to start posting. Just click “Write a story” in the top right.

Drafts save automatically. You don’t have to publish in one sitting. When you get back, just click your picture and then click “Stories.” You’ll find the post under “Drafts.”

When you’re proofread and ready to go, click publish and start broadcasting your writing to a new group of readers.

That’s how easy it is to start publishing on Medium. Writers who take this strategy seriously have been known to build email lists of over 100,000 readers in just a few years (or sooner).

If those are the results you’re looking for, you’ll need some pro-level tactics.

8 Pro Tips to Get More Views on Your Medium Blog

I don’t claim to perfectly understand the Medium algorithm, so what follows is my imperfect opinion. But it’s based on my personal experience of growing on Medium and the advice of close friends who are wildly popular on the platform.

On the surface, Medium works a little like Twitter. People follow you, and when they do, your posts appear in their feeds.

The best way to gain followers is writing good posts, but you can take a few shortcuts if you know about them.

1. Connect your social media accounts for automatic Medium followers

Under account settings, you’ll find a section where you can connect your Twitter and Facebook accounts to your Medium account.

Here’s what’s crazy…

When you connect the accounts, take Twitter for example, Medium will automatically convert your Twitter followers into Medium followers (the ones who have a Medium account).

I had my Copybot partner Jesse do this and look what happened…

Here’s before he linked the accounts.

And here’s after…

Honestly, I can’t believe Medium does this. But it totally works and it’s free followers.

Plus, people who follow you on Twitter tend to be targeted followers since they’ve already expressed an interest in what you have to say.

If your Twitter account is already connected, not to fear. Just disconnect it and reconnect it. I do that every few months.

2. Get in a publication

You can write a viral Medium blog post even if you have very few followers. The secret?

Get in a publication.

Publications are more or less to Medium what group boards are to Pinterest. They have their own followers (sometimes several hundred thousand), and multiple contributors can write to those followers.

Similar to guest posting, you get published in a publication by pitching the editor.

Publications are expected to provide way more content than the average blog, so they’re generally open to quality new writers.

If you have a personal connection or know someone who does, start with those editors.

If you don’t, you can email some pitches. Always start by familiarizing yourself with the publication so you can make an informed pitch.

Look for publications that have the attention of your target readers. And remember, the bigger the publication, the better for you. But don’t be afraid to start small and work your way up as you gain a bigger presence on the platform.

Don’t like emailing strangers? I get that, but you need to get this…

My first six Medium blog posts (not in a publication) got a COMBINED 48 views.

When my 7th post was accepted into a popular publication, I got almost 11,000 views for that ONE post.

I also grew my email list by roughly 300 people.

3. Have friends recommend your posts and comment on them

One of the coolest features of Medium is the one click recommend. When a reader clicks the little green heart on your post, they’re endorsing it to their followers and to the Medium algorithm.

I don’t think it’s exactly like a retweet, but the general rule is, more recommends means more people will see your post.

The easiest way to get quick recommends? Send the post to your friends. A great strategy is to collaborate with a few other Medium writers by reading and recommending each other’s posts.

Two of my friends who are huge on Medium also think the number of comments on a post impacts how much Medium will show it. So you should ask your friends to comment and encourage comments in the post.

4. Share your posts on social media

Sharing on social media and encouraging other people to share adds a little bump to your Medium traffic. Obviously, this is also true of posts on your blog, but Medium traffic leads to recommends, which can lead to way more traffic.

Simply put, you’re more likely to go viral with a Medium blog post than on your own blog.

Which is why you might want to…

5. Consider mailing to your Medium posts

If you already have an email list, consider sending your traffic to Medium instead of your blog, since your odds of going viral are much higher on Medium.

One of the biggest writers on Medium used this trick, and it helped him get over 100K subscribers in roughly two years.

6. Recommend your own posts

This is a drop in the bucket, but you can click your own heart. And despite what you might think, I’ve watched a writer with over 160K Medium followers still use this little hack.

7. Use a winning headline template

Remember, no matter how good your post is, bad headlines repel views.

So obsess over your headline. Always come up with a few options and pick the best one.

Lists and how-to headlines do very well on Medium. But they’re not your only option.

My friend Dave Schools wrote an awesome post called “The 60 Most Recommended Medium Stories of All Time.”

Reference that post when you’re picking your next Medium headline.

8. Tag your posts

Before you publish a post or submit it to a publication, you can add up to 5 tags. Tagging a post makes it more likely to be seen by people who follow those tags (it’s kind of like a hashtag).

So when you write a post, tagging will help you reach targeted readers who are more likely to enjoy and recommend your writing.

If at first, you don’t succeed…

Medium takes work. You are not guaranteed anything. But in my opinion, it’s one of the simplest games to play when you’re building a following online.

Medium has produced huge email lists, profitable book deals, and a new scene of influencers. It’s a great way for bloggers to get noticed and grow their reach.

My first six posts did jack squat on Medium. Now I get roughly 200 recommends per post.

So don’t give up after one try.

And remember, the tips you’ve read can get you more views, but it’s up to the post to turn those views into recommends. So keep improving your writing.

We have a free resource below to help you write the kind of posts that hold attention online.

Want to blog better?

Whether you’re writing a Medium blog post or your own blog, you have to be good to rise above the clutter.

Hone your skills with our free email course “5 Days to Writing Blog Posts that Demand Attention.”

Click here to enroll in the course for free!

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adolphkwinter · 7 years

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8 Practical and Proven Ways You Can Get More Views on Your Medium Blog

Every new blogger has the exact same problem.

No one. Reads. Our stuff.

Once you have a little attention, you have something to build on. People start talking, and the rest is history.

But those first thousand readers are tough.

If you’re smart, you’ll start with who you know; but for most of us, that well runs dry at around 100 folks.

So where do you go from there?

One great option is a website called Medium.

Medium is a massive community with thousands of bloggers and millions of readers.

I’ve attracted hundreds of new readers to my blog by posting on Medium. It’s easy and fun. So in this post, I’ll show you how to do it too.

First things first, I’ll teach you the basics — how to create an account and start posting.

If you already know that stuff, click here to jump to hyperspace (you’ll pop out for the advanced strategies further down this post).

How to Start a Blog on Medium

First, you’ll need a free account.

Posting on Medium is absolutely free. Just go to Medium.com and click “Sign In/Sign Up” at the top right corner.

Then, you’ll need something to post.

One of my favorite things about Medium is the content you post doesn’t have to be original to the site.

By that I mean, you can write something, share it on your blog, and repost it on Medium — killing two birds with one stone.

I personally repost all my blogs on Medium.

Finally, you’ll need something to persuade people to join your email list.

Remember, our goal is to get more people reading your blog. And the best way to do that is getting readers on an email list.

Then, every time you post something new, you can send an email reminding them to check it out.

(If you don’t currently have an email list, we recommend ConvertKit because it’s so simple to use.)

But before you can get people on an email list, you need to give them a compelling reason to sign up. This free giveaway is often called a lead magnet.

It can be a short ebook, a checklist, a video training, an assessment — whatever you think your ideal readers will want to sign up for.

Here’s what I use on Medium:

Once you have these three things, you’re ready to start posting. Just click “Write a story” in the top right.

Drafts save automatically. You don’t have to publish in one sitting. When you get back, just click your picture and then click “Stories.” You’ll find the post under “Drafts.”

When you’re proofread and ready to go, click publish and start broadcasting your writing to a new group of readers.

That’s how easy it is to start publishing on Medium. Writers who take this strategy seriously have been known to build email lists of over 100,000 readers in just a few years (or sooner).

If those are the results you’re looking for, you’ll need some pro-level tactics.

6 Pro Tips to Get More Views on Your Medium Blog